Sensor module for determining range information and related systems and methods

A sensor system comprising:

• a sensor module comprising
• a housing comprising a front end, a rear end opposing said front end, and first and second opposing sides extending between said front end and said rear end, said front end comprising an upper portion, and a lower portion, said lower portion being recessed with respect to said upper portion,
• said housing defining a first opening and a second opening spaced apart from said first opening on said front end,
• an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor carried by the housing,
• a wireless transmitter carried by the housing,
• a battery power supply carried by the housing, and
• an infrared (IR) ranging circuit configured to sense range information for a target and comprising an IR transmitter aligned with the first opening and configured to emit an IR pulse, and an IR photodetector aligned with the second opening and configured to detect a reflected IR pulse,
• said wireless transmitter configured to transmit the range information to a remote location;
• and
• a holster configured to receive said lower portion of said front end of said sensor module.

A method for making a sensor module comprising:

• forming a housing comprising a front end, a rear end opposing the front end, and first and second opposing sides extending between the front end and the rear end;
• the housing defining a first opening and a second opening spaced apart from the first opening on the front end;
• coupling an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor to be carried by the housing;
• coupling a wireless transmitter to be carried by the housing;
• coupling a battery power supply to be carried by the housing;
• and
• positioning an infrared (IR) ranging circuit to sense range information for a target and comprising an IR transmitter aligned with the first opening and configured to emit an IR pulse, and an IR photodetector aligned with the second opening and configured to detect a reflected IR pulse;
• the wireless transmitter configured to transmit the range information to a remote location.